Architecture
How Skylights Have Risen Up the Architectural Ranks
Skylights have come along way since the Roman Empire – but which options are best for your home in the 21st century?
Skylights – basically roof windows – have been an architectural feature for more than 2000 years. They were used in the Roman Empire and the Industrial Revolution, chiefly as a means of allowing light into a dwelling. Since the mid-20th century, however, technological developments and mass production have seen skylights added to houses, not just for light and ventilation, but also for passive heating and cooling. They can now be found in a variety of forms and are important elements of sustainable building, as well being stunning integrated architectural features. Here’s the lowdown on the variety of skylights available in both fixed and operable versions, and how to use them in residential architecture.
Glass ceiling
A fixed skylight is one glass ceiling that shouldn’t be broken! Here, the skylight is an integral feature of the architectural design, and a long glass panel is used to visually separate the dining area from the kitchen while filling both spaces with natural sunlight.
How to brighten your kitchen with natural light
A fixed skylight is one glass ceiling that shouldn’t be broken! Here, the skylight is an integral feature of the architectural design, and a long glass panel is used to visually separate the dining area from the kitchen while filling both spaces with natural sunlight.
How to brighten your kitchen with natural light
Dome
The Romans used open skylights to bring light and ventilation into otherwise dark and closed-off buildings; the most magnificent example being the Pantheon. The skylight tradition continued in Italy during the Renaissance as architects incorporated skylights that often took the form of a lantern or cupola with windows. The glass dome skylight pictured, reminiscent of a Renaissance cupola, allows oodles of natural light to flood the master bedroom.
The Romans used open skylights to bring light and ventilation into otherwise dark and closed-off buildings; the most magnificent example being the Pantheon. The skylight tradition continued in Italy during the Renaissance as architects incorporated skylights that often took the form of a lantern or cupola with windows. The glass dome skylight pictured, reminiscent of a Renaissance cupola, allows oodles of natural light to flood the master bedroom.
Atrium
This skylight is positioned over a two-storey atrium and is large enough to illuminate the kitchen and living area of this Sydney home. As it effectively has a two-storey light shaft, the light diffuses over the second level and creates more of a spotlight on the lower level; and as the sun moves throughout the day, the spotlight shifts.
This skylight is positioned over a two-storey atrium and is large enough to illuminate the kitchen and living area of this Sydney home. As it effectively has a two-storey light shaft, the light diffuses over the second level and creates more of a spotlight on the lower level; and as the sun moves throughout the day, the spotlight shifts.
Unusual shapes
Because fixed skylights do not need to be factory made, architects and homeowners have the opportunity to experiment with shape, size and placement. This triangular skylight, set into a sloping ceiling, lights and heats a large, well-ventilated living and dining space.
Creative window designs for every style of home
Because fixed skylights do not need to be factory made, architects and homeowners have the opportunity to experiment with shape, size and placement. This triangular skylight, set into a sloping ceiling, lights and heats a large, well-ventilated living and dining space.
Creative window designs for every style of home
Location
A skylight is an ideal option in a bathroom without windows, letting natural light into a space that would otherwise have none. However, note that the skylight in this bathroom (and in images 1, 2 and 9) is placed over the shower or bathtub so that light is diffused over the sink and mirror rather than being directly over it. This is also evident in kitchen design (see images 3, 5, and 14), where skylights are offset rather than directly over the kitchen, which could cause too much glare and direct heat.
A skylight is an ideal option in a bathroom without windows, letting natural light into a space that would otherwise have none. However, note that the skylight in this bathroom (and in images 1, 2 and 9) is placed over the shower or bathtub so that light is diffused over the sink and mirror rather than being directly over it. This is also evident in kitchen design (see images 3, 5, and 14), where skylights are offset rather than directly over the kitchen, which could cause too much glare and direct heat.
Stairwells
Skylights over stairs allow light to flood the stairwell. It also visually enhances the height and space of the house as the stairs are not capped or constricted by a solid roof overhead.
Skylights over stairs allow light to flood the stairwell. It also visually enhances the height and space of the house as the stairs are not capped or constricted by a solid roof overhead.
Tubular Daylight Device (TDD)
A TDD is a fixed skylight mounted on the roof. Externally it appears like a small bubble or dome and works to capture, condense and diffuse sunlight, redirecting it through an aluminium tubing system. A TDD can bounce light into darker corners, and due to its small diameter, are ideal in bathrooms, hallways and other small spaces.
A TDD is a fixed skylight mounted on the roof. Externally it appears like a small bubble or dome and works to capture, condense and diffuse sunlight, redirecting it through an aluminium tubing system. A TDD can bounce light into darker corners, and due to its small diameter, are ideal in bathrooms, hallways and other small spaces.
Floor-roof skylight
Who says you can’t walk on a skylight? Here, circular glass floor panels double as skylights, creating interesting architectural elements and a connection between two levels.
Who says you can’t walk on a skylight? Here, circular glass floor panels double as skylights, creating interesting architectural elements and a connection between two levels.
OPERABLE SKYLIGHTS
An operable skylight allows for ventilation. It will open anywhere from five to seven centimetres to being fully retracted so that warm air can escape and cooler, fresh air can enter the home.
Some points to consider:
1. How to open the skylight
Skylights can be opened manually with a latch or hinge; or opened automatically with a wall switch, remote or sensor.
2. Size of the skylight
The size of the skylight should be in proportion to the size of the space or room in order to allow enough light and solar heating (but not too much).
An operable skylight allows for ventilation. It will open anywhere from five to seven centimetres to being fully retracted so that warm air can escape and cooler, fresh air can enter the home.
Some points to consider:
1. How to open the skylight
Skylights can be opened manually with a latch or hinge; or opened automatically with a wall switch, remote or sensor.
2. Size of the skylight
The size of the skylight should be in proportion to the size of the space or room in order to allow enough light and solar heating (but not too much).
Latched or hinged skylight
Skylights are popular in loft spaces with sloping ceilings. A latched or hinged skylight is ideal as it is usually within reach. As it can be opened like a window, it makes for a less expensive option, requiring no automated technology.
Skylights are popular in loft spaces with sloping ceilings. A latched or hinged skylight is ideal as it is usually within reach. As it can be opened like a window, it makes for a less expensive option, requiring no automated technology.
Louvre skylight (and light shaft)
A louvre skylight may or may not allow for ventilation. If the louvres are comprised of glass panels, then opening them will enable air flow. Alternatively, a louvre framework may be set under or over a glass skylight, which will control the amount of light that can filter through – from lots to none at all.
This skylight also has a shaft or light well. The shape and dimensions of the shaft affect light diffusion, ventilation and solar heating. Less light and heat is transmitted with a longer shaft (as in this picture); while more light and heat is transmitted with a shallower shaft (as in the picture below).
A louvre skylight may or may not allow for ventilation. If the louvres are comprised of glass panels, then opening them will enable air flow. Alternatively, a louvre framework may be set under or over a glass skylight, which will control the amount of light that can filter through – from lots to none at all.
This skylight also has a shaft or light well. The shape and dimensions of the shaft affect light diffusion, ventilation and solar heating. Less light and heat is transmitted with a longer shaft (as in this picture); while more light and heat is transmitted with a shallower shaft (as in the picture below).
Automatic skylight
A skylight may be opened via the touch of a wall switch, remote control button, or even sensor.
A sensor-controlled skylight can automatically close when it detects moisture or rain; it can open when the room reaches a certain temperature; and it can be programmed to open at preset times.
A skylight may be opened via the touch of a wall switch, remote control button, or even sensor.
A sensor-controlled skylight can automatically close when it detects moisture or rain; it can open when the room reaches a certain temperature; and it can be programmed to open at preset times.
Retractable skylight
A retractable skylight rolls open, either manually or with the press of a button, to create a large opening in the ceiling. This brings a great connection between indoors and outdoors and enables the skylight to have a ventilating function in higher ceilings.
TELL US
Have you transformed your space with a skylight? Share your pictures with us in the Comments.
MORE
Sensational Skylights: Light Up Your Home Life
The Glorious Benefits of Skylights
How to Borrow Light for Dark Areas of Your House
A retractable skylight rolls open, either manually or with the press of a button, to create a large opening in the ceiling. This brings a great connection between indoors and outdoors and enables the skylight to have a ventilating function in higher ceilings.
TELL US
Have you transformed your space with a skylight? Share your pictures with us in the Comments.
MORE
Sensational Skylights: Light Up Your Home Life
The Glorious Benefits of Skylights
How to Borrow Light for Dark Areas of Your House
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A fixed skylight is, well, fixed –there’s no opening or closing. It may be a prefabricated unit set into the roof, however in contemporary architecture, a fixed skylight is generally a glass element integrated within the structure of the house. Fixed skylights do not allow for ventilation but are ideally used to let light filter into otherwise dark spaces.
Some points to consider:
1. Ventilation
As skylights will increase solar heating in a space or room without allowing for air circulation, ensure there are other ways to ventilate the room.
2. Direction of sunlight
The placement of the skylight will diffuse sunlight in a particular direction, so consider the function of the room and the space being lit.